A Sheffield United takeover has been rumoured in recent weeks; their potential new owner has spoken about fan ownership in the long-term.
Dozy Mmobuosi, a Nigerian Businessman, had a bid of £90 million accepted by current owner Prince Abdullah in recent weeks.
Mmobuosi appeared on Rio Ferdinand’s Five YouTube channel and spoke about why he wants to buy Sheffield United and about his short term and long term visions for the club post-takeover.
One long term vision was some fan ownership and Mmobuosi said: “Even down to the long term, nothing stops the fans from also participating in ownership at some point.
“So it’s not short term for me. I started my business Tingo 22 years ago and I’m still in it so I do not know how to do short-term.”
With the prospect of future fan ownership, Blades fan channel Shoreham View had their say on it and the takeover.
Jonny Gascoigne of Shoreham View, speaking about the takeover said: “The takeover is welcome in theory, it’s become abundantly clear that Prince Abdullah is not in a position to take us any further!
“Whilst red flags are getting raised in the press we will have to wait and see.”
In terms of fan ownership in the future he added: “It could be a good move going forward but it completely depends on which model is set up, one like in the Bundesliga would be a welcome change.”
The Bundesliga model relates to the Bundesliga rule informally known as 50+1 stating that a football club must be majority-own its team and gives fans a say in how their club is run.
Jonny further added: “I’m all for it but like many Blades we have been here before and seen some ‘characters’ at the Lane and we just want stability.”
In terms of fan ownership in England generally VAVEL UK Premier League Editor Owen P. Barnard said: “Fan ownership would be tough to implement in this country especially for how long football has been run in this country but possibly be good. The one member put on a massive board after the ESL doesn’t change anything.”
On Tuesday, an EFL statement about the takeover said: “Until the league is satisfied that the requirements of its Regulations have been met, it will not process a change of control at the club.”